BEYOND THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE or SOUTH BAY

It happened well over several decades ago but I can remember my first time to enter South Bay. My thoughts were not on big redfish and speckled trout. They were mostly focused on whether or not I could get out of the shallow Bay. The narrow inlet was easy to see at low tide but the tide was rushing in and would soon make the channel much harder to see.

Anyway I thought, “I’m in, now, I’ll just catch a few fish and worry about getting out later.”

Three hours and several rod-bending fights later I eased back into the channel and was soon back in at the boat ramp in Port Isabel. The morning had been spent both wading and drifting some of the prettiest water the Lower Laguna Madre has to offer. As an added incentive I knew that this could be one of the areas where the next state record speckled trout could be caught.

South bay is located about as far south on the Texas coast as one can travel without crossing the Rio Grande River. The mouth of the border river with Mexico is located only a few thousand yards across the sand dunes. Many years ago the bay had openings on both the Gulf side and a major opening along the north side of the bay. Over the years the opening from the Gulf has naturally closed until there is quite an expanse of sand and dunes separating the bay from Boca Chica Beach and the open gulf.

Over the years the dredging of the Brownsville Ship Channel and other projects has helped to narrow the opening to only a few hundred yards and three shallow channels. The 3400-acre bay is now considered a Coastal Preserve, State Wildlife Management and scientific area. South Bay remains open to anglers and will remain open according to officials in Austin. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the infinite stupidity tried to close down vehicle access to South Bay last year in their normal “shut-it-down & keep `em out” policy but were somehow over ruled in this case.

South Bay offers the angler a combination of structure that would make even the most jaded saltwater angler want to try this little spot on the map. Vast areas of sea-grass and potholes are resting areas for big speckled trout and redfish. This is the first bay to be encountered by fish entering the pass between the southern tip of South Padre Island and Brazos Island in the Brownsville Channel. During incoming tides fish are guided into the bay, a natural process of water movement and structure.

Following the east shore of the bay south anglers have several large sand and grass flats with scattered potholes visible in the clear water. There are very few “deeper” areas in this bay. One of these, 2 to 3 feet at mean tide, is located half way between the mouth of the bay and the southeast corner. This is a good area for trout and redfish in the summer and spring and redfish during most of the year. This area may be drifted as well as waded with better than average results. Waders have found that big topwater lures like the Storm Big Bug and Rattling’ Chug Bug are super baits that result in crashing strikes. The key in this area is working the bait at a moderate to very slow pace in order to induce a hit. Soft plastics fished either alone or under a popping cork is another favorite South Bay favorite.

For most of the year the prevailing winds are from the southeast. It would be advisable to motor out from the bank then either drift or wade the east shoreline with the wind at your back. Working this shoreline on a rising or falling tide can be extremely good. Waders will find a very friendly bottom in this area with mostly hard sand and grass.

Located just inside the entrance to the bay and extending to the west is the largest of several tabletops in South Bay. Even at a high tide the water on the tabletop is very shallow and even the tunnel type flats boats find it hard to run at times. The edges however can and do produce good catches of fish during most of the year. Although not considered as sporting, some anglers and a few more meat conscience guides anchor and fish this area for redfish and black drum. Using a live or dead finger mullet or pinfish on the bottom can be very productive. Sheepshead, and a few flounder may also be caught along the tabletop edges and drop-offs. Smaller tabletops areas are located in the far southern quadrant.

Beginning in about the middle of the bay are oyster beds some of which are still active. These are prime fishing spots but boaters should use caution when motoring through. It is a very good idea to learn this part of South Bay before venturing in alone. The water is shallow and the obstacles are unforgiving. Boat hulls and lower units are at hazard.

Along the west side of the bay grow several small islands with stands of Mangrove trees stretching their roots into the water. Some grow around or near the oyster beds. Sea grass and potholes along with other structure is found in their vicinity. Casting a lure or fly to the base of these small trees has been the beginning of many a hard fight from a large redfish, speckled trout, or big shook. Yes, South Bay is one of the best places to try for and catch a “wall hanger” snook. Most knowledgeable anglers will release these scrappy fish to fight again and then produce offspring for future anglers. During high tides there are several thousand yards of fishing water directly west of the mangroves.

Moving clockwise or back to the northeast along the flats are several miles of top wading water and the variety of species is truly remarkable. A few years ago a friend and I with fly rods in hand fished the north shore for over three hours and during that time one of us had a fish on almost continuously. We both caught several snook, redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. It was a memorable day of fishing. During the time we were fishing we only encountered one other fisherman in the bay and he was drifting well over a mile from us. By the time we walked back to our boat the other boat had departed and we watched a most spectacular sunset as we left the bay.

The entrance to South Bay is located just past Marker # 22 on the Brownsville Channel and only a few miles west of the tip of South Padre Island. The closest boat ramps are the public ramp located next to the new Sea Ranch Fishing Pier and the boat ramps in Port Isabel. Bait shops along the Port Isabel Channel offer everything from tackle to live bait and quite a few extras. A good spot to stop for supplies and some of the best information is the R&R Hi-Way Bait Stand & Marina. The place is run by fisherman with several decades of combined experience with South Bay and the surrounding waters. Lodging and other services are close, varied, and available.

A word of caution. If you are planning a spring trip make your reservation well in advance. South Padre Island has become a favorite “Spring Break” destination and rooms are scarce once the college crowd invades the island. Not many of them fish but they will take up most if not all the hotel rooms.

South Bay offers the saltwater angler a beautiful place to fish but with it comes with restrictions. The bay is full of hazards and is a very shallow bay. Try to learn all you can about the area before going it alone. It might be a good idea to hire one of the local guides for your first or second trip into the bay and see where you can run your boat and where it’s not advised.

And lastly, check the tides before fishing South Bay. The best fishing is on a moving tide either in or out. Remembering the fish follow the bait and the tides move the bait should help you find your starting point in South Bay. As you fish this bay take a second and think about your location.

You are, in most cases, the most southern saltwater bay fisherman in the continental United States.